Hours expanding at Southwest Teen Life Center, with two major changes

| West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB file photo, Southwest Teen Life Center)

Seattle Parks and Recreation has announced expanded hours starting tomorrow at three Teen Life Centers, including Southwest (2801 SW Thistle, in the same complex as Southwest Pool and the Southwest Customer Service Center). Parks says in its announcement:

Expanded operating hours will mean more secure and supervised spaces for teens, young adults, and elders to engage in intergenerational activities. This pilot program will also utilize signature events to engage youth in meaningful projects and activities. Additionally, it seeks to build partnerships with local businesses and organizations, creating career pathway opportunities for young people and strengthening community connections.

The new hours at Southwest TLC will be 2:30 pm-8 pm Mondays-Thursdays, 3 pm-midnight Fridays, noon-7 pm Saturdays. We compared that to current hours; the major changes are the addition of Mondays and the change from nighttime operation to daytime operation on Saturdays.

Kyle December 17, 2024 (1:04 pm)

I never see any programing advertised for the teen center. Am I looking in the wrong spots? I’ve got young kids so not the target audience but would LOVE more indoor gym toys and run around space for kids in West Seattle. The only Seattle Parks tot gyms in West Seattle are during the week for stay at home parents on Tuesday/Thursday in High Point.

WSB December 17, 2024 (1:23 pm)

Do you check Parks’ seasonal brochures?
Also, not the city, but Arbor Heights Community Church has a standing listing in our calendar for indoor playspace and while we don’t currently have a listing, I noticed signage outside Church of the Nazarene the other day – I believe that too is open to the community – TR
Adam December 17, 2024 (3:04 pm)

One thing we really enjoyed when we had young’ns in West was the Y. I’ve since left and found other gyms that are better for me now, but for small kids the Y is great and if I get grandkids one day, I’ll be back
KT December 17, 2024 (3:08 pm)

The Salvation Army center in White center also has some great programs for kids and adults. Website is tsawhitecenter.org
Reed December 17, 2024 (5:29 pm)

There is a lot of outdoor space in West Seattle young kids to run around, what’s wrong with that?
- k December 17, 2024 (6:31 pm)
  
  A big benefit of organized toddler play space is that they get peer interaction. There’s a time for running around outside alone, but there’s a time and a need for organized activities as well, and those activities are easier to plan and manage indoors. Please do not make assumptions about parents’ needs when they’re asking for this programming.
  - Derp December 17, 2024 (11:41 pm)
    
    Way to get after K for their comment, not assuming anything. Just made a statement. Not everyone has access to the money needed for these programs. So glad we survived not having them when we were younger
    - k December 18, 2024 (7:05 am)
      
      Parks & Rec programs are mostly free, I don’t know why you celebrate “surviving” a youth devoid of social opportunities, but that does explain a lot, and Derp facetiously asked a question, which I honestly answered. I did want to step back in and expand on my answer, that social opportunities for older kids are much-needed as well. I did not specify toddlers with the intent to exclude older kids.
  - Sigh December 18, 2024 (7:09 am)
    
    Kids get peer interaction outside as well…..
- JustSarah December 18, 2024 (10:01 am)
  
  LOL yes, it’s tons of fun to take a toddler to an outdoor playground on a day like last Saturday or yesterday… My kid’s now a tween but I clearly remember how miserable stormy days were with a < 5-year-old who just wants to run around and play. Indoor gym options were a lifesaver.
morgandad December 18, 2024 (9:02 am)

For some reason they use a private facebook page to publish events, rather than the city site, if you don’t agree with giving up your privacy to META you are out of luck.The last couple of events listed were narrowly focused on various activist causes so I advise my teens to find other activities.https://www.facebook.com/SouthwestTeenLifeCenter/
- Needmorecoffee December 18, 2024 (1:22 pm)
  
  The facebook page is public and is no different then the other community center pages on facebook. Activist causes where? The best way to find out the programs/happenings is to stop by and speak to the staff directly during business hours.

Sorry, comment time is over.